Display container



- 11, 1 34 J. J. GAFFNEY DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed July 6, 1932 2 SheetsSheet 1 i wa f M w Dem 1934- J. J. GAFFNEY DISPLAY CONTAINER v Filed July 6, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'INVENTOR Q 4 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 11, 1934 PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY CONTAINER John J. Gaifney, New Haven, Conn., assignor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn, a corporation vof New Jersey Application July 6, 1932, Serial No. 621,013

9 Claims.

' This invention relates to display containers and more particularly to a container having means automatically operable to support the cover in display position.

' Certain kinds of merchandise and other products can often be advantageously displayed by filling the cover portion of the container, as well as the body portion thereof, with merchandise, and then supporting the cover portion at an angle so that the goods packed therein are easily visible. Devices heretofore provided to display merchandise in this manner have been wasteful of material and labor and generally expensive to make. The containers have also been so shaped that machine loading of the containers has been impossible.

Thesupportingbrackets used to hold the box open and supported in display position, have also been expensive to make and apply, and when the container reaches the merchant or retrailer, the easel or bracket support must be set up by hand, often causing great inconvenience and annoyance to the merchant. This is especially true where the merchant must be instructed as to how the supporting bracket should be applied, and again where he is compelled to make certain adjustments so that it will function properly.

-1t is an object of this invention to provide a display container which is adapted to receive and display goods in the cover portion, as well as the body thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display container, comprising a body portion, and .acover portion hinged thereto, and having rfieans for supporting the cover portion of said container in attractive display position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display container having automatically adjustable means for supporting the hinged cover indisplay position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display container formed from a single blank of paperboard material, which is provided with a su'pporting bracket cut from the rear wall of the container and adapted to be automatically positioned to support the hinged cover of the container when the same is swung back into,

display position. v

It is another object of this invention to provide a display container having an automatically adjustable supporting bracket cut from the rear wall thereof, means being provided for reenforcing the bracket and closing the opening left in the rear wall of the container when the supporting bracket occupies the operative position.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds- Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 shows a face view of a blank of paperboard material from which the container may be formed.

Fig. 2 is a. perspective view of a tubular strip of paperboard material which may be associated with the supporting bracket of the container to reenforce the same and to close the opening left by removal of the bracket when in operative supporting position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the complete set up container, looking at the front thereof.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the set up con-' tainer, looking at the rear wall thereof.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a container showing the cover portion thereof swung open, certain parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate other features of the'construction.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofthe container with the cover portion thereof in open position, and showing the tubular reenforcing strip associated with the supporting bracket of the container.

Fig. '1 is a face view of a paperboard blank from which a display container, having a somewhat modified supporting bracket, can be made.

Fig. 8 is a face view of the rectangular blank of paperboard used to cover the opening left in the rear flange of the cover portion of the container when the supporting bracket is displaced therefrom.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the set up container made from the blank shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a front view in perspective of the display container with the cover portion thereof in open position, certain parts being broken 'away to show certain features of the construction.

Fig. 11 is a perspective. view of the display container looking at the rear thereof, the cover portion being shown in open position.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another display container in which the bracket shown in Fig. 2 is secured to the outside face of the rear body wall and rear cover flange of the container to support the cover in open display position.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a display container comprising a body portion A and a cover portion B hinged thereto, all formed from a single blank of paperboard material. The rear wall of the body portion and rear flange of the cover portion are provided with a pair of parallel slits so as to define a strip area therebetween. When the cover swings open, the strip area buckles outwardly and forms a bracket for supporting the cover portion of the container in display position. The'bracket thus automatically shapes itself into the proper position when the cover portion of the container is swung open. A tubular strip C of paperboard may be secured to the inside face of the bracket to close the opening in the rear wall of the body portion and the rear flange of the cover portion, and to reenforce and stiffen the supporting bracket.

The body portion of the container comprises a front wall 10, a rear wall 11 and side walls 12 and 13, and a securing tab 14, defined by the score lines 15. The bottom of the body portion is formed from a pair of flaps 16, hinged to the side walls 12 and 13 of the body portion, along the score line 17. The bottom flap 18 is hinged to the rear wall 10 of the container along the score line 17. The bottom flap 18 is of suflicient size to extend over the entire bottom of the container and is provided with an edge flap 19, hinged thereto along score line 20.

The cover portion of the container comprises a rear flange 21, a front flange 22, side flanges A 23 and 24 and a securing tab 25, defined by score lines 26. The top of the cover portion comprises generally side flaps 30 hinged to the side walls 23 and 24, respectively, along the score lines 31. The top flap 32 is hinged to the rear wall 21 along the score line 33, and is provided with a securing tab 34, hinged thereto along the score line 35.

In assembling the container, the rear wall 10, front wall 11, and side walls 12 and 13 of the body portion are bent into tubular form along the score lines 15, and are then flxed in this position by gluing or otherwise securing the tab 14 to the free edge of the side wall 13 of the body portion. The side flaps 16 are then inturned, and the bottom wall 13 superimposed thereover with the bottom flap 19 inserted into the container to hold the same together in set up position. In the same manner, the cover portion is assembled by bending rear and front flanges 21 and 22 and the side flanges 23 and 24 into tubular form along the score lines 26 and securing the same in this position by gluing or otherwise securing the tab 25 to the free edge of the side flange 24. The top flaps 30 are then turned inwardly and the top flap 32 is superimposed thereover with the securing tab 34 turned into the cover portion of the container.

The rear flange 21 of the cover portion is hinged to the rear wall 10 of the body portion, along the score line 27. The side flanges 23 and 24 of the cover portion are separated from the sidewalls 12 and 13 of the body portion by the cuts 28. If desired, the front flange 22 of the cover portion may be defined from the front wall 11 of the body portion by the score line 29, which must be severed before the cover portion can be swung into open position. A sealed contamer may thus be provided. Where the front flange 22 and front wall 11 are sealed together 1,oss,ooo

and separated only by a score line, the container is fllled throughv the top of the cover before the side flaps 30 and top wall 32 of the cover have been placed in final position.

The container is so made that merchandise and other material may be neatly packed within the cover portion as well as within the body portion of the container. When the cover portion is then swung open, the goods in the cover portion, as well as in the body portion are clearly visible and attractively presented.

To retain the closure portion of the container in open display position, a supporting bracket has been provided which is formed integral with the body portion and the cover portion of the container. The supporting bracket is formed by providing a pair of cuts 38 in the rear wall 10 of the body portion and the rear flange 21 of the cover portion of the container. A score line or line of bending 39 is provided which extends between the cuts 38. The score line 39 may be so located that the portion 36 of the supporting bracket, which forms the foot thereof is of substantially the same length as the height of the rear flange of the cover portion. Similarly, portion 37 of the supporting bracket, is of substantially the same height as the height of the rear wall 10 of the body portion. By changing the position of the score line 39, the tilted position of the cover may be adjusted as desired.

When the cover portion of the container is swung open or hinged along the score line 27, the'supporting bracket comprising the foot portion 36 and the leg portion 37 will buckle outwardly on the score line 39, and finally assume a position such as is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and thus support the rear edge of the cover portion in upstanding display position. No adjustment of the supporting bracket is necessary, since the same automatically bends outwardly when the cover portion of the container is swung open. In the same way, the supporting bracket automatically closes against the rear wall of the container when the cover portion is moved into closed position.

Where the articles to be displayed are small, it is sometimes desirable to cover the opening in the rear flange of the box and cover portion of the container, which occurs when the cover portion is swung into open position. To cover this opening and to further reinforce the supporting bracket, there is provided a tubular strip of paperboard material which may be placed within the container and in line with the sup porting bracket; and automatically functions as an integral part thereof. It has been found that friction will generally keep the tubular strip in position, thus eliminating any gluing, although the tubular strip may be spot glued to the bracket if found desirable. The tubular strip C, shown more particularly in Fig. 2, comprises the leg portions 41, 42, 43 and 44, and securing'tab 45, defined by the score lines 46. A securing tab 45, hinged to the leg portion 41, along the score lines 46, may be glued or otherwise secured to the free end of the leg portion 44 to hold the strip in tubular position.

The leg portion 41 of the tubular strip is of substantially the same length as the leg 37 of the supporting bracket, and similarly, the foot 44 of the strip is the same length as the foot portion 36 of the supporting bracket. The leg 43 is also the same width and length as the cutout opening provided in the rear wall and fits snugly within the opening in the rear flange of the cover portion. The leg portion 41 may be glued if found necessary to the leg 37 of the supporting bracket, and the foot portion 44 glued to the foot 36, preferably while the container is in the blank form shown in Fig. 1.

When the tubular reinforcing strip C has been glued to the supporting bracket, it will buckle outwardly therewith when the cover portion is swung open. In addition to closing the opening present in the rear flange of the cover portion and the rear wall of the body portion, the strip acts to stiffen and reinforce the supporting bracket. A completely closed container is thus presented which is provided with a strong, reinforced supporting bracket adapted to support heavy goods and materials. If it is desired to more fully display the goods within the body portion of the container, the front wall 11 thereof may be provided with a perforated line 50, which permits a portion of the front wall to be 'torn out and discarded. The goods are then clearly visible in both the body portion and the cover portion of the container.

There is shown in Figs. 6 to 11, inclusive, a display container having a supporting bracket of slightly modified construction. The supporting bracket is formed by providing parallel cuts 38 in the rear wall 10 of the body portion and cuts 55 in the rear flange 21 of the cover portion of the container. The cuts 51 in the rear flange of the cover portion are preferably a greater distance apart than the cuts 38 in the rear wall of the body portion. 'Horizontally extending cuts 53 connect the lower end of the cuts 51 with the upper ends of the cuts 38. Horizontal cuts 54 extend inwardly from the upper ends of the flange cuts 55. The cuts 53, 54 and 55 define wings which are hinged to the leg 37 of the supporting bracket along the score lines 52. When the cover portion B of the container is swung open, the cover portion hinges along the score lines 27 and the supporting bracket buckles outwardly. The wings 51 provide additional support and steady the opened container. The wings 51 provide stiffness to the supporting bracket and the tubular strip C need not be used in this type of construction. To cover the large opening thus formed in the rear flange of the cover portion, a cover plate 60 of paperboard material may be provided which is arranged to seat within and against the rear flange 21 of the cover portion.

In the modified display container shown in Fig. 12, the bracket strip C, shown in Fig. 2 is attached directly to the outside face of the rear wall of the body portion and the rear flange of the cover portion. Slitting or cutting of the body or cover portions is then not necessary. The operation of this modified arrangement is the same as that above described.

It is now seen that a display container is provided which is adapted to display the merchandise in both the body portion and the cover portion thereof. The supporting bracket for the cover is" formed from the-stock of the box itself, and need not require any extra material. If a more finished box is desired, having a closed rear wall, a tubular strip may be secured to the supporting bracket, or, as shown in Fig. 12, the tubular strip C itself forms the supporting bracket when secured to the outside face of the rear wall of the container. The bracket is automatically operated when the cover portion of the container. is swung open. No adjustment of the bracket need be made by the merchant or retailer to correctly set up the container for display. i

The display container can be easily filled with merchandise by inserting the samev through the top wall of the cover portion. When the top wall of the cover portion is closed, the container is in sealed condition, and may be opened only by tearing the cover portion from the body portion along the perforated line 29. It is therefore diflicult to tamper with the contents of the container without leaving detectable and visible evidence thereof. The container is light and strong, economical to make and may be made up in any number of attractive designs and patterns.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display container of the character described, including in combination, a body portion and a cover portion, both of said portions having a supporting wall and surrounding front, rear and end walls adapted to contain merchandise, the rear wall of said cover portion being hinged to the rear wall of the body portion, and a supporting bracket cut from the rear walls of said body and cover portions, said bracket being scored transversely to permit the same to buckle outwardly and support the cover portion in display position.

2. A display container formed from, a single piece of paperboard material, including in combination, a body portion and a cover portion, both of said portions having a supporting wall and surrounding front, rear and side walls adapted to contain merchandise, the rear wall of the cover portion being hinged to the rear wallof the body portion, and a supporting bracket cut from the rear walls of said body and cover portions, said bracket being adapted to be swung outwardly to support said cover portion in display position.

3. A display container formed from a single piece of paperboard material, including in combination, a body portion having a rear wall and a cover portion having a rear flange, the rear flange of the cover portion being hinged to the rear wall of the body portion, and a pair of cuts extending transversely across said rear flange and rear wall, said cuts defining therebetween a supporting bracket adapted to be swung outwardly to support said cover portion when the same is swung into open position.

4. A display container formed from a single piece of paperboard material, including in combination, a body portion having a rear wall and a cover portion having a rear flange, the rear flange of the cover portion being hinged to the rear wall of the body portion, a pair of spaced cuts extending transversely across said rear flange and rear wall, a score line extending between said cuts, said cuts and score line defining a supporting bracket adapted to buckle outwardly to support the cover portion when the same is swung into open position.

5. A display container of the character described, including in combination, a body portion, a cover portion, a supporting bracket cut from said body and cover portion and adapted to support said cover portion in display position,

said bracket being automatically extended outwardly into supporting position upon the opening of said cover, and means covering the opening in said body and cover portions left by said bracket when the same is extended into supporting position.

8. A display container or the character described, including in combination, a body portion, a cover portion, a supporting bracket cut from said body and cover portion and adapted to support said cover portion in display position, said bracket being automatically extended into supporting position upon the opening of said cover, and a strip of paperboard associated with said bracket and automatically operative to cover the body and cover opening left by said bracket when the same is swung into extended supporting position.

'7. A display container of the character described, including in combination, a body portion, a cover portion, a supporting bracket cut from said body and cover portions and adapted to support said cover portion in display position, and a tubular strip of paperboard associated with said bracket and automatically operative to cover the body and cover openings left by said bracket when the same is swung into extended supporting position.

8. A display container of the character described, including in combination, a body portion, a-cover portion, a supporting bracket cut' from said body and cover portions and adapted to support said cover portion in display position, said bracket being automatically extended into supporting position upon the opening of said cover portion, and a tubular strip of paperboard associated with and reinforcing said bracket,

.pair of cuts extending transversely across said rear wall and rear flange, said cuts defining therebetween a supporting bracket adapted to swing outwardly into supporting position when said cover portion is swung into open position, and a pair of reinforcing wings extending laterally from said supporting bracket.

JOHN J. GAIW'NEYc 

